For the three Oregon volleyball seniors — Sydney Chute, Lindsay Closs, and Amanda Porter — tonight’s match against Washington State and Friday’s against Washington at McArthur Court represent the end of the line.
The end of the road. Their careers, differing in longevity with the Ducks, are about to be finished.
It’s a sad fact they must face. But they understand that all things must come to an end.
“Every week, we prepare for the match — that’s the only thing on our minds,” Chute said. “Obviously, this one’s going to be sweeter because its the last home game, and my last one. So, I want to go out with a bang and make it memorable.”
A win for Chute against the Cougars or Huskies would be something to remember, as the only player on the Oregon roster to have played for four seasons as a Duck has never defeated Washington State and has defeated Washington just once. Combined, she has gone just 1-13 against Oregon’s Northwest rivals.
As for Closs and Porter, the road has been less bumpy, albeit because of a shorter time with the Ducks. Both transferred as juniors last season — Closs from Fresno State and Porter from Idaho — and have combined for just one Pacific-10 Conference win while with Oregon.
Still, there’s no hard feelings,
or regrets.
“It’s been emotional,” Closs said about her time with Oregon. “It’s been a learning experience and I think I’ve grown up for it.”
What the three have brought to the Oregon program is not best represented on the statistical sheet. Sure, Chute will leave the Ducks as the top assist-getter in three of her four seasons, and Closs will know that she accumulated the most kills in a season — 393 to date — since Madeline Ernst’s 593 in 1998.
No, the three will know that the younger players looked up to them, learned, and based on their leadership, became better players.
“I know — definitely to us underclassmen, and I know the juniors feel the same way — (they are) the best role models, and they’ve set great examples for us,” sophomore Lauren Westendorf said. “They’ve set the standard for Oregon volleyball.”
“Our coaching philosophy from when I’ve got here involves upper-division leadership,” Oregon head coach Carl Ferreira said. “Sydney, Porter and Closs have done an excellent job in providing great guidance and leadership to not only the freshman, but everyone in the program. You can’t really put a price tag on the value of what they do for the program. It’s well beyond statistics.”
As tradition goes, each can expect a gift Friday night from Oregon as a token of appreciation for their service with the squad. In addition, families are encouraged to attend the final match, are brought onto the court with their kin and given a round of applause from the Oregon crowd.
For Chute, especially, that will mean so much more. Being from Santa Rosa, Calif., she said her parents only have a chance to watch her play twice a season — when the Ducks visit California in Berkeley and Stanford in Palo Alto.
“Pretty much, I’m going to thank everyone for supporting me and helping me through, because you definitely have to work hard through your four years, because it’s not easy,” Chute said. “And just for all the good times and memories.”
Looking ahead to the future, Chute and Closs both admitted to have a possible passion for coaching. While Closs was less committal — she said she doesn’t like planning her future too much — Chute believed coaching is definitely in her future.
“There’s a possibility I might look to coach club in Eugene, or wherever I end up,” she said. “And from there, I’m not really sure. But I’ve definitely enjoyed coaching the clinics I’ve done in Eugene and my hometown.
“It’s in my blood.”